Zerita Angell Pauli, 84
Zerita Angell Pauli passed peacefully away at her home in Evergreen on Saturday, April 1, 2006, ending her struggle with cancer. Known affectionately by her friends and family as "Zee," she will be sorely missed by all whose lives she touched in her 84 years.
Zee was born Feb. 8, 1922, to her parents, Omar and Gladys Angell Pitner, just over the mountains in Valier. Her family's homestead on Birch Creek located between Valier and Browning, offered her a unique opportunity to witness not only the rural pioneer lives of immigrants, but also some of the tribal aspects of the Blackfeet Indians. She fondly remembered the natives coming to share water from their creek.
After a brief time in McMinnville, Ore., Zee returned to Valier, where she graduated high school. She always placed an extremely high value on education, especially mathematics. It was paramount to a cardinal sin to be seen doing addition or subtraction with the aid of fingers. She remained quick-witted, intelligent and able to dish out consternation in her own bitter-sweet fashion until the day she died.
Immediately after graduation, Zerita married the love of her life, Lyle W. Pauli, also of Valier. On June 29, 1940, with Lyle dressed in a dark suit and Zee a dress skirt, the two consecrated a relationship that would span 66 years. During this time, Lyle ran his own automotive shop while Zee played the part of the consummate American housewife, raising children, cooking, cleaning, putting on Band-Aids, taking care of pets, and offering support to the husband she so loved and was devoted to.
In 1955, the two packed up all of their worldly possessions, including their four children, Roger, Jerry, Jim and Anita, and relocated to the Flathead Valley. Despite her upbringing on the rough and windy plains of the West, Zee grew to love the trees, mountains, and lakes found on this side of the mountains. They moved into a house in east Evergreen, where she developed many strong friendships and continued to raise her children into bright and considerate adults.
Around 1972, the couple moved to a house nestled against the Stillwater River in Evergreen. It was this location that would become the epicenter for her vibrant and prized family and social life. Their backyard and deck has been the scene of countless parties and family gatherings in the past 34 years. However, even the most mundane visit by one of her children or grandchildren, during a weeknight or otherwise, was equally important. Family was utmost in her life, and she never grew tired of visits.
Zerita worked as a secretary at the Evergreen Elementary School for several years. Later, she was employed by the Flathead County Justice Court, where she served as acting justice of the peace under Mary Ridel. In 1982 she ran for public office as justice of the peace, but was narrowly defeated.
Zee was a member of Kalispell Soroptomist and the Lower Valley Garden Club. She was also a devout member of the Risen Christ Parish.
Her happiest moments were spent with family and friends in all of the areas campgrounds. She and Lyle were avid RV-ers and always owned a handsome camper trailer or motor home. These camper trailers always carried the loving, family-oriented atmosphere that was found in their home wherever they went, and eventually began to denote eras in family history: "Let's see, that was back when we still had the Prowler."
She also had an undying love for playing cards. She continued to meet with her bridge club up until the week before she passed away. It was at these weekly meetings that she was able to enjoy the company of some of her closest friends. Playing cards at home also provided her with hours of entertainment.
Zerita is survived by her husband, Lyle W. Pauli, of Evergreen, and her children, Roger and Marcia Pauli, Jerry and Colleen Pauli, Jim and Bunny Pauli, and Anita and Larry Newlin. Her grandchildren include Tony Pauli, Teresa and Jeff Hanley, Michael Pauli, Kacie Pauli, Jamie and Tom Lyman, Alex and Jamie Shanks, Marcey and Rich McAtee, Mandy, Matthew, Cassie and Aaron Allmaras; as well as her great-grandchildren, Dylan and Ethan Hanley, Zerita Angell McAtee, and Collin Lyman.
Rosary services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Johnson's Mortuary, and Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Evergreen.
The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite No. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Zerita's family.